À̹ÌÁö È®´ë [Photo by Yonhap]
South Korea¡¯s Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho called for unionized truckers to return to work, stressing that eighth-day strike is causing burden on the nation¡¯s economy already strained from slowing exports and higher raw material costs.
While presiding over a meeting with representatives from small and mid-sized firms on Thursday, he stated that truckers¡¯ group action caused serious damage to the nation¡¯s effort to overcome the economic crisis. ¡°There would be no future for South Korean corporations,¡¯¡¯ he added.
Thousands of truckers have been on strike since last week, demanding the government¡¯s guarantee of ¡°a wage for safe operation.¡± The government met with representatives of the unionized truckers Wednesday, but failed to narrow their differences.
Minister Choo expressed concerns, saying, ¡°The continued strike will weigh down the economy when the nation¡¯s exports have decreased amid deteriorating external conditions.¡± Truckers¡¯ action since Nov. 24 has caused disruptions in cargo shipments and exports, hurting the nation¡¯s overall economy. He promised to provide support to small and mid-sized firms to help them minimize losses.
Korea Federation for SMEs urged the government to enforce punishments against illegal acts by truckers such as disrupting transport of goods.
By Pulse
[¨Ï Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]